Closed Hoosier Resort Undergoing Changes

An abandoned tourist attraction on the shores of the largest natural lake in Indiana is set to reopen next month, thanks to a nearly $7 million investment.

Oakwood Resort, which closed in 2008, sits on seven acres along Lake Wawasee in Kosciusko County and the project has been under what the developers call a “crazy” schedule over the last four months, Inside INdiana Business reported. CEO Jeremiah Heierman says there are plans to employ around 125 full and part-time workers during the summer, fall and Christmas seasons.

Fort Wayne-based Yellow Retirement Communities is the project’s developer and has set up Oakwood Resort LLC to manage its affairs.

The grounds have served as a resort since the 1890s.

The property currently features an 80-room hotel, three conference centers, a 500-seat banquet center and several vacation homes.

Heierman says plans are in the works to redevelop a convention hall that would serve up to 900 guests and a fisherman’s-style hotel with around one dozen cabin rooms.